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Warning-sign checks

Confusion: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for sudden new confusion, especially without a clear harmless explanation.

    Do not drive the person to hospital if they are severely unwell or unsafe to transport.

    Emergency help is particularly important when confusion occurs with:

    • Face drooping, arm weakness, or new speech difficulty
    • A seizure, collapse, fainting, or inability to wake fully
    • A severe or sudden headache
    • Trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, or chest pain
    • A recent head injury
    • Suspected overdose, poisoning, or carbon monoxide exposure
    • Very low blood sugar that does not improve with the person’s usual plan
    • Fever with a stiff neck, new rash, or severe illness

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange urgent same-day care for new or worsening confusion over hours or days, even without other obvious symptoms.

    Fever, reduced drinking, vomiting, painful urination, or a recent medicine change make prompt assessment especially important.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if gradual, mild, or recurring confusion affects work, relationships, memory, finances, driving, or everyday tasks.

    A trusted person may help describe the changes.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Confusion. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.